The Texans didn't have second-round picks in 2007 and 2008 because of the Matt Schaub trade, but their other No. 2 picks, middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans and defensive end Connor Barwin, worked out well.

Success in the second round bodes well for Tate. Because he's a 220-pound back with 4.4 speed, Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith expect Tate to run with a combination of power and speed. He will be given an opportunity to contribute immediately because Steve Slaton is coming off neck surgery.

Texans' secound-round pick, running back Ben Tate, ran 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and will be given the opportunity to contibute immediately.

Texans' secound-round pick, running back Ben Tate, ran 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and will be given the opportunity to contibute immediately.

Photo: Darron Cummings, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo: Darron Cummings, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Texans' secound-round pick, running back Ben Tate, ran 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and will be given the opportunity to contibute immediately.

Texans' secound-round pick, running back Ben Tate, ran 4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and will be given the opportunity to contibute immediately.

Photo: Darron Cummings, ASSOCIATED PRESS

On Pro Football: It won't take long to feel the draft

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If it ain't broke ...

I'm surprised so many thought the Texans were looking for a 330-pound nose tackle. A nose tackle is a run-down player. The Texans already have two of those starting — Okoye and Shaun Cody. Over the last 13 games, the Texans allowed an average of 299 total yards, including 86 rushing.

The Texans didn't need a defensive tackle to stop the run. They needed a tackle to pressure the passer.

Ideally, Mitchell will come off the bench in passing situations and use his 4.76 speed to harass the quarterback. He'll play next to Smith, who moves inside on passing downs. Williams and Barwin will play on the outside.

If Williams is healthy and Barwin makes the kind of improvement most are predicting, the outside pressure should improve dramatically. The question is what kind of heat Smith can generate playing with Mitchell rather than Okoye on passing downs.

The Texans wanted a defensive tackle who had what can't be coached — quickness off the ball and speed up the field. Mitchell has that. They figure Bill Kollar, who's one of the best defensive line coaches in the league, can teach Mitchell what he doesn't know and hope he's a fast learner.

Who could have predicted the Texans would have two starters from the third round (Winston and Slaton) as well as two from the sixth and seventh rounds (Studdard and Diles)?

Preseason prediction

It's way too early to predict what's going to happen with this year's picks, but I'll give it a shot.

Jackson will start opposite Quin. Tate will start if Slaton doesn't return to his rookie form and Arian Foster doesn't pick up where he left off at the end of last season.

Mitchell will get a chance to bolster the pass rush off the bench, and Sharpton will be a hitting machine on special teams. Graham will impress in the preseason while Daniels and Joel Dreessen are getting ready for the season. McManis, Smith and Dickerson will be reserves or on the practice squad.

Holliday will become a dynamic return specialist and a fan favorite. Thus Jones can focus on having what the coaches hope will be a breakout season at receiver.

The bottom line is the Texans have gotten starters and contributors from every round. Some have made instant impacts, and others have taken some time.

John McClain can be heard on 610 AM at 8:30 a.m. Monday, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and 4:30 p.m. Friday.